A power ranking of the NFL 2023 rookie quarterback class
The 2023 NFL season set a new league record with 10 first-year signal callers, including two undrafted free agents, starting a game. It was the year of the rookie quarterback.
Several top overall picks displayed glimpses of why they were so much sought after in April, despite the uneven results. From best to worst, here’s how each rookie quarterback performed this season:
Regarding Stroud, not much more needs to be said than has already been said. He is ranked third among rookie quarterbacks in passing yards (4,108) and passer rating (100.8), sixth in touchdown passes (23), and second in passing yards per game (273.9).
Dak Prescott is the only other rookie quarterback to throw for 20 touchdowns or more with fewer interceptions than Stroud’s five picks. Stroud is just the fifth player in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards in his first season. The 22-year-old former Ohio State player seemed to be destined for the Pro Bowl for the ensuing ten years.
With Levis at quarterback instead of Ryan Tannehill, the Titans offence appeared entirely different, despite Levis’ 3-6 record as a starter. Considering that he was running for his life for a significant portion of the game and played behind the weakest offensive line in the league, his 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions appear even more impressive.
During Week 14, Levis made headlines when he guided the Titans to victory over the then-9-3 Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football” with a four-play, 64-yard touchdown drive in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter. It seems like the Titans will base their plans around Levis.
Although Young’s stats (2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 62 sacks taken, 73.7 passer rating) don’t look great at first glance, it’s reasonable to argue he did the best he could with what little he had.
Young’s 2-12 record as the starter makes Carolina’s six one-score losses appear worse than they were. He has the potential to develop into a pretty strong thrower if the Panthers can find him a legitimate No. 1 receiver to throw to and a couple of linemen who can hold him upright.
Richardson showed glimmers of why the Colts regarded him so highly at the top of the draft, despite the fact that his sample size was limited to just four games. He started in victories against the Texans and Titans, and he almost got Indianapolis to win in overtime against the Rams.
